Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is very good to know. Communication is the key here so perhaps the Minister could give us more information. I very much welcome the €20 million. It is very important. Apprenticeships have been part of our culture over the years, but we need them now more than ever. It is great to have that apprenticeship programme. It can offer so much to students. I strongly welcome this. In addition, it is important to welcome the technological university for the south east. I have been working very hard with the Minister on this for Carlow. It is great news for Carlow, which has two excellent third level colleges.

I am glad to hear there is only a backlog for a few months. At least I will be able to tell people the Minister is working on the backlog, there is €20 million extra available and, it is hoped, within the next few months there will no longer be a backlog. That is important. For me, communication is key with regard to all the different apprenticeships and courses. The Minister referred to the 61 programmes. That is excellent. It is very good for our country and it is important for us. I know the Minister has been working very hard on apprenticeships. For years it has been an issue I believed we should address, and we are addressing it now. I understand Covid-19 has been a big factor in the delays, but with people getting vaccinated, we are getting back on track. It is important for these students. They want to be qualified and to work full-time, so it is important we get this resolved as soon as possible. I thank the Minister for his reply.

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